The Revolution in Tanner’s Lane · Chapter
Mr. Broad's Last Church Meeting—Latimer Chapel explained
The chapter describes the final church meeting at Tanner's Lane, where Mr.
What happens
The chapter describes the final church meeting at Tanner's Lane, where Mr. Broad presides over a disciplinary hearing against Mr. Allen and his son George for their political activities and absence from services. The meeting ends inconclusively after Mr. Allen makes a mysterious appeal regarding Thomas Broad. Following Mr. Broad's paralysis and death, the congregation undergoes a transformation: a new minister introduces liberal theology, the chapel is rebuilt as Latimer Chapel, and many changes occur. The Allens eventually emigrate to America with George and his child, while Zachariah and Pauline's fate is left unknown.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Hypocrisy
The church meeting reveals hypocrisy as Mr. Broad disciplines the Allens for political involvement while the congregation later embraces liberal theology and secular activities, and Thomas Broad's secret is covered up.
Tradition vs. Change
Tanner's Lane transforms into Latimer Chapel with a new minister, organ, choir, and secular lectures, symbolizing the shift from strict Calvinism to modernized religion.
Social Class and Inequality
The Allens' political activism and the church's disciplinary action highlight class tensions, and the eventual emigration to America reflects a desire to escape social limitations.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Broad
Present at the meeting in full ministerial costume; later involved in a scandal about climbing the College palings, which he admits to, though the scar on his hand had another origin.
- George Allen
Present at the back of the room with his father; accused of abetting an unruly mob during the political contest; later emigrates to America with his child.
- Mr. Isaac Allen
Present at the back of the room; defends himself and his son during the meeting; makes a mysterious appeal regarding Thomas Broad that ends the proceedings; later leads a secession of younger members and emigrates to America.
- Reverend John Broad
Presides over the meeting; prays and delivers a painful duty speech against the Allens; later struck with paralysis and lingers for two years before dying.
- Old Bushel
Sits on Mr. Broad's right hand during the meeting; his death was accelerated by vexation over railway survey across his fields.
- Brother Scotton
Sits on Mr. Broad's left hand during the meeting.
Key passages
“He had done nothing in this matter without constant recurrence to the footstool of grace, and he had also consulted with some of his dear brethren in Christ whom he saw near him.”
He claimed he had prayed repeatedly and consulted with trusted fellow church members before taking action.
Mr. Broad justifies his disciplinary approach by emphasizing prayer and consultation.
“The Atonement is indeed the central doctrine, the pivot of Christianity, but it is an at one ment, a making of one mind.”
The new minister reinterprets the Atonement as a process of achieving unity with God rather than a sacrifice to appease Him.
This reflects the shift from traditional Calvinist theology to a more liberal, moral-influence view.
“Oh day of days, when after years of limitation, monotony, and embarrassment, we see it all behind us, and face a new future with an illimitable prospect!”
What a glorious day it is when we leave behind years of restriction and boredom and look forward to a boundless future.
The narrator expresses the liberating feeling of emigration to America.
